Fluid Pressure Control With Standby Pressure Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid control devices consume fluid unnecessarily when the demand is low, leading to inefficiency and wastage.
Innovation Solution
A fluid control device with a pressure adjusting valve and disconnection valve that adjusts pressure based on flow rate thresholds and switches modes to reduce fluid supply when demand is low, disconnecting the supply after a predetermined time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the fluid control device supplies fluid continuously in operation mode, then the external device can receive sufficient fluid pressure, but fluid is consumed unnecessarily when demand is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between operation mode and standby mode based on flow rate conditions. When flow rate is low for a predetermined time, the system switches to standby mode with reduced pressure supply, and can further switch to isolation mode to disconnect supply entirely, thereby adapting fluid consumption to actual demand while maintaining reliability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter of fluid supply based on operating conditions. In operation mode, fluid is supplied at normal pressure; in standby mode, pressure is reduced; and in isolation mode, supply is disconnected. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by matching supply levels to actual demand
2Quantity of substance
If the system switches to standby mode with reduced pressure, then fluid consumption is reduced, but response time to restore full supply increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of flow rate conditions before switching modes. By detecting low flow rate conditions and switching to standby mode proactively, the system prevents unnecessary fluid consumption while being prepared to quickly restore full supply when demand increases, thus reducing overall fluid waste without excessive delay
3Quantity of substance
If the disconnection valve disconnects fluid supply, then fluid wastage is minimized, but the external device cannot receive fluid when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between isolation mode (disconnected) and operation mode (full supply) based on real-time flow rate conditions. This dynamic switching provides supply flexibility by ensuring fluid can be restored quickly when demand increases, while minimizing wastage during low-demand periods through the isolation mode
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid control device includes a pressure regulating valve control unit that controls a pressure regulating valve so as to output a fluid from the pressure regulating valve at a second pressure lower than a first pressure when the flowrate of the fluid is determined to be equal to or lower than a threshold value continuously for a first prescribed time or longer, and when a standby mode is permitted by an operator. A shutoff valve control unit controls a shutoff valve so as to shut off supplying of the fluid to an external device when a second prescribed time has elapsed in the standby mode.